Are .270s inherently accurate?

Good afternoon gentleman, as some of you know I recently bought my first .270. I had planned to convert it to either .338-06 or .35 Whalen.
I took the rifle to the rang today and was suprisingly impressed with performance.
To this point I have always shot single shot rifles. First fathers .303 martini endfield and then a single shot Henry of my own in .45-70.

My questions are : are bolt actions more accurate or are sub .30 calibers more accurate?
This is my first bolt action gun so please forgive my ignorance. Also the first rifle I've fired under .30 caliber.
Attached is a five shot group fired at one hundred yards and a picture of the rifle. A 700 Remington classic bdl lh with leupold 3-9x40

For clarification sake I pulled the last round. Completely user error.

there is really no one size fits all answer..

as a rule bolt actions are more accurate than say a lever action.. but.. there are certainly bolt guns out there that cant keep a group.. and semi autos, pump actions, and lever actions that are very accurate....

and there are numerous things that influence a rifles accuracy beyond just the rifles action itself..

some cartridges are inherently flatter shooting than others.. some loads are inherently more consistent than others.. some barrels are inherently more accurate and built to closer tolerances than others.. some chambers are cut to tighter tolerances than others, etc..etc.. some triggers are smoother, lighter, and break more cleanly than others, etc..

there are a lot of things that will influence the shooters ability to accurately shoot a particular rifle as well.. for example, how recoil sensitive are you? I used to own a 7mm WSM that could cloverleaf a 10 round group at 100 yards all day long.. but if the shooter is sensitive to recoil, I think they would have a hard time doing that after the first few rounds.. the 7MM WSM delivered a sharp, borderline painful, punch to the shoulder with every trigger squeeze... How well is the stock fitted to you? That will influence your ability to shoot the weapon accurately. How high is the scope mounted in relation to your natural, comfortable position? etc..etc..

With all of that said.. there are certainly calibers and makes/models of rifles that are just known to be sub MOA combinations.. and others that you know going in arent going to be lasers.. but bring other qualities/values you might be looking for (for example, the rapid follow up shot capaility of a .30-30 lever gun that can keep everything in a 2" circle at 100 yards might be a better choice for deer hunting in thick south eastern US terrain... vs the flat, accurate bolt action option in .270 that might be the better choice for pronghorn in the open plains of southern Colorado..)

MOST (but not all) bolt action rifles tend to be more more accurate than MOST lever, pump, or semi-auto guns, and the Remington 700 has a good reputation for accuracy. As for the caliber, I don't know that the 270 is inherently more accurate than any other modern caliber, but it is very user friendly. I find it ideal for most of the hunting I do. Both of the ones I've owned have been very accurate, the recoil is fairly mild (even in my Winchester M70 XTR Featherweight), it's flat shooting, and it kills very quickly and humanely. My M70 seems to have a slight preference for 130 grain bullets, but it handles 140 and 150 grain projectiles almost as well. See what yours likes to be fed. Obviously, it did well with what you were feeding it the day you fired that group.

To summarize Dave's thoughts above, accuracy has several dependencies. Mess around with any of them enough and you'll throw off the accuracy.

I'm not sure exactly how to define "inherently accurate caliber" but for me it's seeing one that shoots well in a variety of rifles with various loads. I'm not sure if I'd put the .270 in that category or not. I would put the .223 and .308W in that category. It just seems like everyone I've been around shoots well to extremely well with factory ammo.

In your case, I'd say you've got a winner and should hang onto that rifle. If I saw something that concerned me it would actually be the holes in the paper.

Take the shot at lower left, what I think you're calling the shot you pulled. The hole in the paper appears quite a bit bigger than what I'd expect in a .270 and it also appears to be a bit oblong. Now that could be due to what was behind the target, but isn't what I'd expect.

Some cartridges are easier to get good groups with different components. The 6BR is a good example. Today's bullets as well as rifle components are light years of what was produced even a decade ago.

PHOENIX PHIL said:

To summarize Dave's thoughts above, accuracy has several dependencies. Mess around with any of them enough and you'll throw off the accuracy.

I'm not sure exactly how to define "inherently accurate caliber" but for me it's seeing one that shoots well in a variety of rifles with various loads. I'm not sure if I'd put the .270 in that category or not. I would put the .223 and .308W in that category. It just seems like everyone I've been around shoots well to extremely well with factory ammo.

In your case, I'd say you've got a winner and should hang onto that rifle. If I saw something that concerned me it would actually be the holes in the paper.

Take the shot at lower left, what I think you're calling the shot you pulled. The hole in the paper appears quite a bit bigger than what I'd expect in a .270 and it also appears to be a bit oblong. Now that could be due to what was behind the target, but isn't what I'd expect.

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The target was roofing nailed to a plywood backstop. Beyound that I don't understand what you mean. The ammunition used was .140 grain amirican whitetail by hornady. Could you please expand on your previous comment.

If the three in the clover leaf with that ammo is repeatable,....leave it alone that group is very desirable in any hunting rifle, especially in the larger calibers. That group with economy ammo is less than .60 center to center estimated. IMO. A keeper.

Areaonereal said:

If the three in the clover leaf with that ammo is repeatable,....leave it alone that group is very desirable in any hunting rifle, especially in the larger calibers. That group with economy ammo is less than .60 center to center estimated. IMO. A keeper.

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Either the three or the other hole has an extra round through it I fired five rounds.

A 270 Win is capable of taking anything in North America. I’d go bigger for brown bear but whitetail to elk you should be good with what you’ve got. I’d keep it as is.

The 270 Win has a fairly long neck and is designed to operate with a narrower range of projectiles than a 7mm Rem Mag or a 30-06. The fact that it is not designed to be all things to all people allows it to operate very accurately within its envelope. I don’t know that I believe in inherent accuracy but the 270 does have a few variables stacked in its favor.

Your particular rifle appears to do very well with the ammo you used. The particular 140 grain ammo you got this group with is inexpensive and very appropriate for medium game. I would buy a case of it and be pretty confident my hunting needs were covered.

Conventional wisdom mandates that generally a bolt rifle is more accurate than a double barreled rifle or a lever rifle . But this is not a hard and fast rule.
The .270 Winchester calibre is exceptionally accurate and flat shooting . But then again , so is the .308 Winchester calibre and .30-06 Springfield calibre .
Perhaps the lesser recoil of the .270 Winchester aided you in making a better grouping , Skinnersblade ?
At any rate , congratulations on the marvellous rifle and the brilliant shooting . The .270 Winchester would be my ideal calibre for cheetal deer .

Thank you for the words of wisdom @Major Khan. Out of personal curiosity did any of your clients use the .270 or other .7mm calibers?

Skinnersblade said:

Thank you for the words of wisdom @Major Khan. Out of personal curiosity did any of your clients use the .270 or other .7mm calibers?

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Oh , yes ! Several , as a matter of fact . During my time , clients came to India for shikar with :
7 × 57 mm Mauser calibre rifles
7 mm Remington magnum calibre rifles
.270 Winchester rifles.

I have unfortunately never seen a 7mm 08 Remington unfortunately . I believe it was introduced after l retired ? I wonder how that 1 performs.

This is a client with his Griffin & Howe Mauser action custom rifle , chambered in 7 mm Remington magnum.


This is Tom Bolack ( who would eventually become the Governor of New Mexico ). I guided him in 1963 for a royal Bengal tiger shikar . He won Allwyn Cooper Limited's " Tiger of the year " award for securing a 503 pound royal Bengal tiger. He took his royal Bengal tiger with a pre 64 Winchester Model 70 , chambered in .270 Winchester and a single Winchester Silver Tip soft point bullet.

@Major Khan have you by chance written an article about that Hunt? That would make an awesome article featuring two remarkable men.

Out of curiosity How large are cheetal deer?

I have studied that tiger and a similarly sized lion, close up, in Bolack's collection on a few occasions. To say they are impressive would be an understatement!! Actually much of Tom Bolack's trophy collection now is in a dedicated museum at the B Square ranch/private wildlife refuge near Farmington, NM. His family, I think, salvaged most of his collection and memorabilia after his passing in '98 and set it up as part of a Farm and Ranch, living museum type facility. Bolack's son Tommy is still there working on the farm and maybe still working at the local radio station he helped build.

Bolack Sr. was quite an influential political figure beginning back in the 50's and had a connection to the oil/gas industry in NW NM where the farm/ranch is. In his later years he was truly a crusty outspoken character and would fit in a unique category along with the likes of Hemingway and FC Hibben.

Skinnersblade said:

@Major Khan have you by chance written an article about that Hunt? That would make an awesome article featuring two remarkable men.

Out of curiosity How large are cheetal deer?

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I never quite got around to writing that 1 yet , Skinnersblade . Perhaps , tomorrow night ? It is a Friday and l will be free at night ( l am going skeet shooting with my friends in the evening ) .
Would you like to see a cheetal deer which l have shot last year ?

@Major Khan I would very much like to see one.

fourfive8 said:

I have studied that tiger and a similarly sized lion, close up, in Bolack's collection on a few occasions. To they are impressive would be an understatement!! Actually much of Tom Bolack's trophy collection now is in a dedicated museum at the B Square ranch/private wildlife refuge in NM near Farmington. His family, I think, salvaged most of his collection and memorabilia after his passing in '98 and set it up as part of a Farm and Ranch, living museum type facility. Bolack's son Tommy is still there working on the farm and maybe still working at the local radio station he helped build.

Bolack Sr. was quite an influential political figure beginning back in the 50's and had a connection to the oil/gas industry in NW NM where the farm/ranch is. In his later years he was truly a crusty outspoken character and would fit in a unique category along with the likes of Hemingway.

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He was a man among men . He ripped me 500 Rupees and tipped Kawshik 500 Rupees . A true gentleman . Even though he was extremely wealthy , there was no arrogance in him . He genuinely was friendly to us and treated us at Koshy's cafe after the shikar . He asked about our families and as a matter of fact , he introduced me to an American clothing company named Brook's Brothers and their splendid button down collar dress shirts . To this day , l wear nothing but blue or white Brook's Brothers oxford cotton button down collar dress shirts ( however , l like the older models more which used to have a breast pocket and a relaxed fit and were made from a very high quality cotton .The new 1s have no breast pocket and a very tight fit and less durable fabric .
Mr. Bolack had a fascination for small calibres . His most famous quote used to be " If Robert Ruark says to use enough gun , then l say don't use too much gun ! "

He took his royal Bengal tiger with that .270 Winchester calibre pre 64 Winchester Model 70 bolt rifle. He also killed 2 dozen cranes by using a 28 calibre Westley Richards side by side shot gun , which l would have a very difficult time believing , if l did not see it with my own eyes.
This is also Mr. Bolack with 1 of our coolies .

I think Phil was thinking there was possible tipping going on or key holing of the bullets. But that's unlikely with such tight grouping. The more likely answer is two bullets in that left hole. My own experience with the .270 while limited to about 3 rifles is that its no more inherently accurate than any other and not as much so as the .308 and similar rounds. I have found the similar 7x64 to be more accurate in general than the .270, but that is just personal experience and would be hard to quantify.

Skinnersblade said:

@Major Khan I would very much like to see one.

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It is late tonight . I have to walk all the way to my study room where the skin is . I will show it to you 1st thing in the morning . You have my word .

Major Khan said:

It is late tonight . I have to walk all the way to my study room where the skin is . I will show it to you 1st thing in the morning . You have my word .

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Thank you major don't trouble yourself over it. We have lots of time as I don't believe that particular deer will run away.